In Gaelic the first syllables are usually stressed, and the remaining syllables (and little words in between, like 'na') are unstressed, so are faster and less clear. Sometimes they get dropped altogether in rapid speech, giving in this case

Bail' na mara.

leading to the 'English' spelling of the Gaelic pronunciation, Balnamara - the 'e' has disappeared.

Would love to learn but am a rank beginner-in other words I don't know any Gaelic. It looks similar to Cornish, but my main problem will be with pronunciation! Any ideas?I think it is important that everyone should at least be able to be polite and courteous in all the Brit languages! I just fail at the moment!I will try going back to page one and practicing! Thanks for the lessons.